Transmitting a prioritized audio stream along with multimedia content

ABSTRACT

A method includes retrieving multimedia content from a first content source. The multimedia content includes a video stream and a native audio stream. The method includes retrieving a prioritized audio stream from a second content source that is different than the first content source. The method includes synchronizing the multimedia content and the prioritized audio stream by introducing a delay in the prioritized audio stream to generate a synchronized audio stream. The method includes adding the synchronized audio stream to the video stream to form a composite stream. The method also includes initiating a transmission of the composite stream to a media playback device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from, and is a continuationapplication of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/565,826, filed Sep.24, 2009, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to transmitting audiostreams and multimedia content.

BACKGROUND

Advances in broadcasting and entertainment technology have made itpossible to simultaneously experience multimedia content from multiplesources. For example, football fans may watch television coverage of aparticular game while listening to a local radio broadcast of the gameinstead of the television commentary. As another example, someautomobile racing leagues provide online streaming of in-car commentsfrom drivers. Fans of a particular driver may watch television coverageof a race while listening to driver comments streamed to a computer.However, the television and radio/Internet stream are often out-of-sync,decreasing the overall enjoyment of the multimedia content. Furthermore,a user may have to operate multiple devices (e.g., a television andeither a radio receiver or a computer) in order to enjoy thesimultaneous broadcasts of content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a particular embodiment of a system oftransmitting a prioritized audio stream along with multimedia content;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method oftransmitting a prioritized audio stream along with multimedia content;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another particular embodiment of a method oftransmitting a prioritized audio stream along with multimedia content;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a particular embodiment of an Internet protocoltelevision (IPTV) system to transmit a prioritized audio stream alongwith multimedia content; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a generalpurpose computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for transmitting a prioritized audio stream alongwith multimedia content are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, amethod includes receiving a designation of a prioritized audio stream tobe transmitted with a broadcast of multimedia content. The designationis received at a server prior to the broadcast. The method also includesretrieving the multimedia content from a first content source andretrieving the prioritized audio stream from a second content source.The first content source and the second content source are each externalto the server. The prioritized audio stream is added to the multimediacontent to form a composite content stream. The method further includesinitiating a broadcast of the composite content stream.

In another particular embodiment, a set-top box includes an inputinterface to receive a user designation of a prioritized audio streamassociated with a broadcast of a multimedia content item. The userdesignation is received prior to receipt of the broadcast multimediacontent item. The set-top box also includes a network interface to sendthe ser designation of the prioritized audio stream to a server and toreceive a composite content stream comprising the multimedia contentitem and the prioritized audio stream from the server. The set-top boxfurther includes an output interface to transmit a signal based on thecomposite content stream to a multimedia device coupled to the set-topbox.

In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage mediumincludes instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to receive a designation of a prioritized audio stream to betransmitted with multimedia content. The designation is received at aserver prior to transmission of the multimedia content. Thecomputer-readable storage medium also includes instructions, that whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to retrieve themultimedia content from a first content source and to retrieve theprioritized audio stream from a second content source. The first contentsource and the second content source are external to the server. Theprioritized audio stream is added to at least a portion of themultimedia content to form a composite content stream. Thecomputer-readable storage medium further includes instructions, thatwhen executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit thecontent stream from the server to a destination device via a network.

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram of a particular embodiment of a system 100 oftransmitting a prioritized audio stream along with multimedia content.The system 100 includes a server 130 communicatively coupled to aset-top box (STB) 110 via a network 120. The server 130 is alsocommunicatively coupled to a plurality of content sources, such as afirst content source 140 and a second content source 160 via theInternet 150. Generally, the system 100 of FIG. 1 may enable a user todesignate and receive prioritized audio streams along with multimediacontent broadcasts.

The STB 110 includes an input interface 114. In a particular embodiment,the input interface 114 enables user input at the STB 110. For example,the STB 110 may receive user input via the input interface 114 from aremote control 104. User input received by the user interface 114 mayinclude STB controls such as power, volume, and channel, and electronicprogram guide (EPG) selections. User input received by the userinterface 114 also includes user designations of prioritized audiostreams, as described herein.

The STB 110 also includes an output interface 112 that enablescommunication of multimedia content from the STB 110 to a multimediadevice such as the display device 102. Multimedia content may includevideo content, audio content, interactive content, or any combinationthereof. In a particular embodiment, the display device 102 is astandard definition television (SDTV), a high definition television(HDTV), or a computer system display.

The STB 110 further includes a network interface 116 configured to sendand receive information to and from the server 130 via the network 120.In a particular embodiment, the network 120 is a cable televisionnetwork, a satellite television network, or an Internet Protocoltelevision (IPTV) network. The network interface 116 is configured totransmit a user designation of a prioritized audio stream 170 to theserver 130 via the network 120. The network interface 116 is alsoconfigured to receive a composite content stream 173 that includes amultimedia content item 171 and the prioritized audio stream 172 fromthe server 130 via the network 120.

The server 130 may be a cable television provider server, a satellitetelevision provider server, an IPTV provider server, or some otherserver. For example, the server 130 may include network interfaces andsoftware modules to enable communication with content sources (e.g., thefirst content source 140 and the second content source 160 via theInternet 150) and subscriber STBs (e.g., the STB 110 via the network120). The server 130 may also include one or more memory devices andsoftware modules to enable combination of multimedia content and aprioritized audio stream, as described herein. The server 130 isconfigured to receive the user designation of a prioritized audio stream170 from the STB 110, indicating that the prioritized audio stream 172is to be transmitted along with a future broadcast (e.g., livebroadcast, re-broadcast, syndicated broadcast, unicast, or video ondemand broadcast) of the multimedia content item 171. The server 130 isalso configured to retrieve the multimedia content item 171 (e.g., froma first content source 140) and to retrieve the prioritized audio stream172 (e.g., from a second content source 160) via the Internet 150. In aparticular embodiment, the multimedia content item 171 includes a videostream and a native audio stream.

The server 130 is further configured to combine the multimedia contentitem 171 and the prioritized audio stream 172 to form a compositecontent stream 173 for transmission to the STB 110 via the network 120.In a particular embodiment, the composite content stream 173 includesthe video stream, the native audio stream, and the prioritized audiostream. In another particular embodiment, the composite content stream173 includes the video stream and the prioritized audio stream but notthe native audio stream, because the server 130 has replaced the nativeaudio stream with the prioritized audio stream 172.

The content sources 140, 160 are external to the server 130. The contentsources 140, 160 may provide syndicated television programming, livetelevision programming, movie programming, radio programming,interactive programming, Internet-based content streams, or other typesof content. In a particular embodiment, the prioritized audio stream 172may be a restricted-access prioritized audio stream. For example, accessto the prioritized audio stream 172 may be restricted via subscription,pay-per-access, password, or other security measure. In such anembodiment, the STB 110 may transmit an authorization token (e.g., apassword received at the input interface 114) to the server 130, wherethe authorization token enables access to the prioritized audio stream172. The server 130 may then transmit the authorization token to thesecond content source 160 prior to retrieving the prioritized audiostream 172 from the second content source 160.

In operation, a user of the STB 110 may designate a prioritized audiostream to be transmitted along with an upcoming broadcast of multimediacontent, and the STB 110 may transmit the user designation 170 to theserver 130 via the network 120. For example, the server 130 may receivea user designation indicating that Internet radio commentary for anupcoming football game is to be transmitted to the STB 110 along withthe television broadcast of the football game.

Once the multimedia content item 171 and the prioritized audio stream172 are available, the server 130 may retrieve the multimedia contentitem 171 from the first content source 140 and the prioritized audiostream 172 from the second content source 160. For example, once thefootball game begins, the server 130 may retrieve the live televisionbroadcast of the football game from the first content source 140 (e.g.,a server associated with a television channel carrying the livetelevision broadcast) and may retrieve the Internet radio commentary forthe football game from the second content source (e.g., a serverassociated with a radio station) via the Internet 150. The livetelevision broadcast may include native video (e.g., video captured bytelevision cameras) and native audio (e.g., audio commentary fromtelevision announcers). The Internet radio commentary may include localcommentary from a radio station affiliated with the home team or theaway team.

The server 130 may then combine the multimedia content item 171 and theprioritized audio stream 172 to form the composite content stream 173.For example, the server 130 may combine the live television broadcastand the Internet radio commentary associated with the football game.Forming the composite content stream 173 may include interleavingpackets of the multimedia content item 171 and the prioritized audiostream 172, replacing the native audio stream with the prioritized audiostream 172, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, theserver 130 synchronizes the multimedia content item 171 and theprioritized audio stream 172 before forming the composite audio stream173. For example, the server 130 may introduce a delay in the Internetradio commentary in order to synchronize the Internet radio commentarywith the live television broadcast. Once formed, the composite contentstream 173 may be broadcast to the STB 110, where the composite contentstream 173 is processed and signals based on the composite contentstream 173 are transmitted to the display device 102 (e.g., an HDTV).

It will be appreciated that the system 100 of FIG. 1 may enable a userto enjoy multimedia content and a prioritized audio stream from a singlesource. For example, the system 100 of FIG. 1 may enable a user tosimultaneously enjoy both a multimedia content item (e.g., a livetelevision broadcast of a football game at a screen of an HDTV) and aprioritized audio stream (e.g., Internet radio commentary emitted fromspeakers of the HDTV) at a single device (e.g., the HDTV).

It should be noted that although the system 100 of FIG. 1 has beendescribed in the context of Internet radio commentary of a sports event,the prioritized audio stream may be any audio stream. For example, theprioritized audio stream 172 may be a higher or lower quality audiostream than the native audio stream of the multimedia content item 171.As another example, the prioritized audio stream 172 may be in adifferent language than the native audio stream.

It will also be appreciated that the system 100 of FIG. 1 may enablerevenue generation for television providers. For example, a user may begiven the option of replacing a standard (e.g., stereo) audio streamassociated with multimedia content with a high-quality (e.g. surroundsound) prioritized audio stream for a fee. It will further beappreciated that the system 100 of FIG. 1 may enable revenue generationfor content providers. For example, a content provider associated withthe second content source 160 may charge a pay-per-access fee orsubscription fee for access to the prioritized audio stream.Furthermore, because television viewers that otherwise do not haveaccess to the content provider (e.g., out-of-town viewers with respectto a local radio station) may access the prioritized audio stream viathe system 100 of FIG. 1, the system 100 of FIG. 1 may increase anavailable advertising audience of a content provider.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method200 of transmitting a prioritized audio stream along with multimediacontent. In an illustrative embodiment, the method 200 may be performedby the server 130 of FIG. 1.

The method 200 includes receiving a designation of a prioritized audiostream to be transmitted with a broadcast of multimedia content, at 202.The designation is received at a server prior to the broadcast. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the server 130 may receive the designation of aprioritized audio stream from the STB 110 via the network 120.

The method 200 also includes retrieving the multimedia content from afirst content source that is external to the server, at 204. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the server 130 may retrieve the multimedia contentfrom the first content source 140. The method 200 further includesretrieving the prioritized audio stream from a second content sourcethat is external to the server and that is different than the firstcontent source, at 206. For example, in FIG. 1, the server 130 mayretrieve the prioritized audio stream from the second content source 160via the Internet 150.

The method 200 includes adding the prioritized audio stream to themultimedia content to form a composite content stream, at 208. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the server 130 may add the prioritized audio streamto the multimedia content to form the composite content stream. Themethod 200 also includes initiating a broadcast of the composite contentstream, at 210. For example, in FIG. 1, the server 130 may initiate abroadcast of the composite content stream by transmitting the compositecontent stream to the STB 110 via the network 120.

It will be appreciated that by implementing the method 200 of FIG. 2, aserver may package and provide both multimedia content and prioritizedaudio to users via a single composite content stream. In a particularembodiment, the method 200 of FIG. 2 is modified to enable dataretrieval from more than two content sources. For example, one or bothof the multimedia content and the prioritized audio stream may be formedby combining content from more than one source.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of another particular embodiment of amethod 300 of transmitting a prioritized audio stream along withmultimedia content. In an illustrative embodiment, the method 300 may beperformed by the server 130 of FIG. 3.

The method 300 includes receiving a designation of a prioritized audiostream to be transmitted with a broadcast of multimedia content, at 302.The designation is received at a server (e.g., an IPTV server) prior tothe broadcast. The multimedia content includes a video stream and anative audio stream. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the server 130may receive a user designation of the prioritized audio stream from theSTB 110 via the network 120.

The method 300 also includes receiving an authorization token to accessthe prioritized audio stream, at 304. For example, referring to FIG. 1,the server 130 may receive a password that enables access to theprioritized audio stream. The method 300 further includes retrieving themultimedia content from a first content source that is external to theserver, at 306. The multimedia content may include syndicated televisionprogramming, live television programming, video on demand programming,or a movie. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the server 130 mayretrieve the multimedia content from the first content source 140.

The method 300 further includes retrieving the prioritized audio streamfrom a second content source that is external to the server and that isdifferent than the first content source, at 308. Retrieving theprioritized audio stream includes transmitting the authorization tokento the second content source. For example, referring to FIG. 1, theserver 130 may transmit the password to the second content source 160and may retrieve the prioritized audio stream from the second contentsource 160.

The method 300 includes synchronizing the prioritized audio stream withthe multimedia content, at 310, and replacing the native audio streamwith the prioritized audio stream to form a composite content stream, at312. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the server 130 may synchronizethe prioritized audio stream with the multimedia content (e.g., bydelaying one or both of the prioritized audio stream and the multimediacontent) and replace the native audio stream of the multimedia contentwith the prioritized audio stream, thereby forming the composite contentstream.

The method 300 also includes initiating a broadcast of the compositecontent stream, at 314. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the server 130may initiate broadcast of the composite content stream by transmittingthe composite content stream to the STB 110 via the network 120.

It will be appreciated that the method 300 of FIG. 3 may enable serversto provide multimedia content and prioritized audio via a singlecomposite content stream (e.g., a composite IPTV stream), includingaccess-restricted prioritized audio. It will also be appreciated thatthe method 300 of FIG. 3 may enable a server to synchronize themultimedia content with the prioritized audio, so that the compositecontent stream does not include out-of-sync problems experienced byusers who attempt to enjoy multimedia content and prioritized audio viaseparate devices.

Referring to FIG. 4, a particular embodiment an IPTV system to transmita prioritized audio stream along with multimedia content is illustratedand generally designated 400. The embodiment of FIG. 4 is included onlyfor illustrative purposes and in no way represents a limiting embodimentof this invention. Readers will understand that the television servicecan be a cable television service, a satellite television service, orany other television service. Furthermore, the embodiment of FIG. 4describes only one possible implementation of an IPTV television serviceand in no way represents a limiting embodiment for IPTV televisionservices. Readers will understand that an IPTV television service can beembodied in many other ways within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown, the system 400 includes a client facing tier 422, anapplication tier 464, an acquisition tier 452, and an operations andmanagement tier 480. Each tier 422, 452, 464, and 480 can be coupled toa private network 450; to a public network 474, such as the Internet; toan access network 442; or to more than one of the private network 450,the public network 474, and the access network 442. For example, theclient-facing tier 422 can be coupled to the private network 450 and tothe access network 442. Further, the application tier 464 can be coupledto the private network 450 and to the public network 474. Theacquisition tier 452 can also be coupled to the private network 450 andto the public network 474. Additionally, the operations and managementtier 480 can be coupled to the public network 474.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the various tiers 422, 452, 464, and 480 maycommunicate with each other via the private network 450, the publicnetwork 474, and the access network 442. For instance, the client-facingtier 422 can communicate with the application tier 464 and theacquisition tier 452 via the private network 450. The application tier464 can communicate with the acquisition tier 452 via the privatenetwork 450. Further, the application tier 464 can communicate with theacquisition tier 452 and the operations and management tier 480 via thepublic network 474. Moreover, the acquisition tier 452 can communicatewith the operations and management tier 480 via the public network 474.In a particular embodiment, elements of the application tier 464,including, but not limited to, a client gateway 466, can communicatedirectly with the client-facing tier 422.

The client-facing tier 422 may communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 422, such as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)access network. The client-facing tier 422 can communicate with arepresentative set-top box device 428 at a customer premise. In aparticular embodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) thatfacilitates communication with the set-top box device 428 includesrouters, local area network devices, modems, such as digital subscriberline (DSL) modems, any other suitable devices for facilitatingcommunication between a set-top box device and the access network 442,or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the client-facing tier 422 can be coupled tothe CPE via fiber optic cables. Alternatively, the CPE can includedigital subscriber line (DSL) modems that are coupled to one or morenetwork nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier 422 can becoupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. The set-top boxdevice 428 can process data received via the access network 442, via asuitable IPTV software platform.

The set-top box device 428 can be coupled to an external display device,such as a television monitor 412. Moreover, the set-top box device 428can communicate with a remote control 414. The set-top box device 428can include IPTV set-top box devices as well as video gaming devices orconsoles that are adapted to receive IPTV content. The set-top boxdevice 428 can also include computers or other computing devices thatare adapted to emulate set-top box device functionality and any otherdevice adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to an IPTVsystem via an access network.

In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, the set-top box device 428 cansend and receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 422 via the access network 442 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 412to which it is coupled. For example, the set-top box device 428 may senda designation of prioritized audio 490 to the client-facing tier 422. Asanother example, the set-top box device 428 may include tuners thatreceive and decode television programming signals including a compositecontent stream 496 prior to transmission of signals to the displaydevice 412. Further, the set-top box device 428 can include a STBprocessor 430 and a STB memory device 426 that is accessible to the STBprocessor 430. In one embodiment, a computer program, such as the STBcomputer program 424, can be embedded within the STB memory device 426.In another illustrative embodiment, a user computing device, such as apersonal computer, laptop or local server, can be coupled to the set-topbox device 428, for example, via a universal serial bus (USB)connection, Ethernet connection, wireless connection, or otherconnection.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 422 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 444 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 422 and the access network 442 and between theclient-facing tier 422 and the private network 450. As illustrated, theCFT switch 444 is coupled to one or more data servers, such as D-servers434, that store, format, encode, replicate, or otherwise manipulate orprepare video content for communication from the client-facing tier 422to the set-top box device 428. The CFT switch 444 can also be coupled toa terminal server 446 that provides terminal devices with a connectionpoint to the private network 450. In a particular embodiment, the CFTswitch 444 can be coupled to a video-on-demand (VOD) server 448 thatstores or provides VOD content imported by the IPTV system 400.

Further, the CFT switch 444 is coupled to one or more video servers 432that receive video content and transmit the content to the set-top box428 via the access network 442. In a particular embodiment, the CFTswitch 444 can be coupled to one or more publication servers thatfacilitate the formation of groups that share private content and theinclusion of indicators of such private content with video contentreceived by users in a group.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 422 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as therepresentative set-top box 428 over a wide geographic area, such as aregional area, a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a designated marketarea or any other suitable geographic area, market area, or subscriberor customer group that can be supported by networking the client-facingtier 422 to numerous set-top box devices. In a particular embodiment,the CFT switch 444, or any portion thereof, can include a multicastrouter or switch that feeds one or more video streams from a videoserver to multiple set-top box devices.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the application tier 464 can communicate withboth the private network 450 and the public network 474. The applicationtier 464 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 470 and asecond APP switch 478. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch470 can be coupled to the second APP switch 478. The first APP switch470 can be coupled to an application server 468 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 472. In a particular embodiment, the application server 468 canprovide applications to the set-top box device 428 via the accessnetwork 442, which enable the set-top box device 428 to providefunctions, such as display, messaging, processing of IPTV data and VODmaterial, etc. In a particular embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 472includes operation systems and support (OSS) data, as well as billingsystems and support (BSS) data. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway472 can provide or restrict access to an OSS/BSS server 486 that storesoperations and billing systems data.

The second APP switch 478 can be coupled to a domain controller 476 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 490via the public network 474. For example, the domain controller 476 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 474. In addition, the second APP switch 478 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store that includes account information, such asaccount information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 400 via the private network 450 or the public network 474. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses of corresponding set-top boxdevice 428.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 464 can include aclient gateway 466 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 422. The client gateway 466 may be coupled directly to the CFTswitch 444. The client gateway 466 can provide user access to theprivate network 450 and the tiers coupled thereto. In an illustrativeembodiment, the set-top box device 428 can access the IPTV system 400via the access network 442, using information received from the clientgateway 466. User devices can access the client gateway 466 via theaccess network 442, and the client gateway 466 can allow such devices toaccess the private network 450 once the devices are authenticated orverified. Similarly, the client gateway 466 can prevent unauthorizeddevices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top box devices fromaccessing the private network 450, by denying access to these devicesbeyond the access network 442.

For example, when the representative set-top box device 428 accesses theclient-facing tier 422 via the access network 442, the client gateway466 can verify subscriber information by communicating with thesubscriber and system store via the private network 450. Further, theclient gateway 466 can verify billing information and status bycommunicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 472 via the private network 450.In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 472 can transmit a query via thepublic network 474 to the OSS/BSS server 486. After the client gateway466 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, the client gateway466 can allow the set-top box device 428 to access IPTV content and VODcontent at the client-facing tier 422. If the client gateway 466 cannotverify subscriber information for the set-top box device 428, e.g.,because it is connected to an unauthorized twisted pair or otherconnection, the client gateway 466 can block transmissions to and fromthe set-top box device 428 beyond the access network 442.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the acquisition tier 452 can include anacquisition tier (AQT) switch 456 that communicates with the privatenetwork 450. The AQT switch 456 can also communicate with the operationsand management tier 480 via the public network 474. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 456 can be coupled to a live acquisitionserver 460 that receives or acquires television content, movie content,advertisement content, other video content, or any combination thereof,from a broadcast service 462 and a first content source 492, such as asatellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. For example,the first content source 492 may provide a live television broadcast ofan automobile racing event. The live acquisition server 460 may alsoreceive or acquire a prioritized audio stream from a second contentsource 494 via the public network 474. For example, the second contentsource 494 may provide in-car audio commentary from particular driversparticipating in the automobile racing event. In a particularembodiment, the live acquisition server 460 can transmit content to theAQT switch 456, and the AQT switch 456 can transmit the content to theCFT switch 444 via the private network 450.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 434, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 432 to the set-top box device 428. The CFT switch 444 canreceive content from the video server(s) 432 and communicate the contentto the set-top box device 428. The set-top box device 428 may then inturn transmit the content to the television monitor 412. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box device 428.

Further, the AQT switch 456 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 458 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 452 and communicates the stored content to theVOD server 448 at the client-facing tier 422 via the private network450. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 452, the video-on-demand(VOD) importer server 458 can receive content from one or more VODsources outside the IPTV system 400, such as movie studios andprogrammers of non-live content. For example, the first content source140 of FIG. 1 may be an external VOD source. The VOD importer server 458can transmit the VOD content to the AQT switch 456, and the AQT switch456, in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch 444 via theprivate network 450. The VOD content can be stored at one or moreservers, such as the VOD server 448.

When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box device 428or the order processing module 420, the requests can be transmitted overthe access network 442 to the VOD server 448, via the CFT switch 444.Upon receiving such requests, the VOD server 448 can retrieve therequested VOD content and transmit the content to the set-top box device428 across the access network 442, via the CFT switch 444. The set-topbox device 428 can transmit the VOD content to the television monitor412. In an illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VODcontent can be streamed to the set-top box device 428.

FIG. 4 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 480can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 484 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 480and the public network 474. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4, theOMT switch 484 is coupled to a TV2 server 482. Additionally, the OMTswitch 484 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 486 and to a simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP) monitor 488 that monitors networkdevices within or coupled to the IPTV system 400. In a particularembodiment, the OMT switch 484 can communicate with the AQT switch 456via the public network 474.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 460 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 456, and the AQT switch 456, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 484 via the public network474. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 484 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 482 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 482. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 482using a personal computer (PC) 490 coupled to the public network 474.

Referring to FIG. 5, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 500. The computer system 500 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 500 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 500 may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to othercomputer systems or peripheral devices. For example, the computer system500 may include or be included within any one or more of the STB 110,the server 130, the first content source 140, and the second contentsource 160 discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 500 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 500 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a pager, apersonal trusted device, a web appliance, or any other machine capableof executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) thatspecify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment,the computer system 500 can be implemented using electronic devices thatprovide voice, video, or data communication. For example, the computersystem 500 may be included within a portable device (e.g., a wirelesstelephone or smartphone) configured to receive a composite contentstream from a server (e.g., the server 130 of FIG. 1) via a mobilenetwork. The portable device may output signals based on the compositecontent stream at a display and at one or more speakers of the portabledevice. Further, while a single computer system 500 is illustrated, theterm “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systemsor sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiplesets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the computer system 500 may include aprocessor 502, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system 500 caninclude a main memory 504 and a static memory 506 that can communicatewith each other via a bus 508. As shown, the computer system 500 mayfurther include a video display unit 510, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat paneldisplay, or a solid state display. Additionally, the computer system 500may include an input device 512, such as a keyboard, and a cursorcontrol device 514, such as a mouse. When the computer system 500 isincluded in a STB (e.g., the STB 110 of FIG. 1), the computer system 500may include a remote control (e.g., the remote control 104 of FIG. 1)but not a keyboard or mouse. The computer system 500 can also include adisk drive unit 516, a signal generation device 518, such as a speakeror remote control, and a network interface device 520.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, the disk drive unit516 may include a computer-readable medium 522 in which one or more setsof instructions 524, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 524 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 524 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 504,the static memory 506, and/or within the processor 502 during executionby the computer system 500. The main memory 504 and the processor 502also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 524 or receives and executes instructions 524, sothat a device connected to one or more networks 526 (e.g., the network120 and the Internet 150 of FIG. 1) can communicate voice, video or dataover the one or more networks 526. Further, the instructions 524 may betransmitted or received over the one or more networks 526 via thenetwork interface device 520. The computer system 500 may be a serverthat is operable to communicate with a set-top box 528, a first contentsource 530, and a second content source 532 via the one or more networks526. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box 528 is the STB 110of FIG. 1, the first content source 530 is the first content source 140of FIG. 1, and the second content source 532 is the second contentsource 160 of FIG. 1.

While the computer-readable medium 522 is shown to be a single medium,the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing a set of instructions for execution by a processor or thatcause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods oroperations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly,the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium and other equivalents and successor media, inwhich data or instructions may be stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the disclosed embodiments are notlimited to such standards and protocols. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein areconsidered equivalents thereof. For example, such standards may includeEthernet, USB, and Home PNA (HPNA).

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as definingseparately claimed subject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by thebroadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: retrieving multimediacontent from a first content source, wherein the multimedia contentincludes a video stream and a native audio stream; retrieving aprioritized audio stream from a second content source that is differentthan the first content source; synchronizing, at a server, themultimedia content and the prioritized audio stream by introducing adelay in the prioritized audio stream to generate a synchronized audiostream; adding, at the server, the synchronized audio stream to thevideo stream to form a composite stream by interleaving first packets ofthe multimedia content with second packets of the synchronized audiostream, wherein the composite stream includes a first content packetincluding first data corresponding to the video stream and the nativeaudio stream; and initiating, from the server, a transmission of thecomposite stream to a media playback device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the first content source comprises a television programmingsource.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritized audio streamis of higher quality than the native audio stream.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the prioritized audio stream is retrieved aftertransmitting an authorization token to the second content source.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the multimedia content includes first contentfrom the first content source and second content from a third contentsource.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first content source andthe second content source are each external to the server, and whereinthe first content source is distinct from the second content source. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritized audio stream and themultimedia content are synchronized prior to forming the compositestream.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the native audio streamincludes first audio in a first language, wherein the prioritized audiostream includes second audio in a second language, and wherein the firstlanguage is distinct from the second language.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the prioritized audio stream includes audio in surround sound.10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the server,a designation indicating the prioritized audio stream and indicating themultimedia content, wherein the prioritized audio stream is to betransmitted with a broadcast of the multimedia content, and wherein thedesignation is received from the media playback device prior totransmission of the multimedia content.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the second content source comprises an internet radio source.12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an authorizationtoken at the server and transmitting the authorization token to thesecond content source, wherein the prioritized audio stream is receivedafter transmitting the authorization token to the second content source.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the media playback device isselectively granted access to the prioritized audio stream.
 14. A devicecomprising: a processor; a memory comprising instructions executable bythe processor, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform operations including: retrievingmultimedia content from a first content source, wherein the multimediacontent includes a video stream and a native audio stream; retrieving aprioritized audio stream from a second content source that is differentthan the first content source; synchronizing the multimedia content andthe prioritized audio stream by introducing a delay in the prioritizedaudio stream to generate a synchronized audio stream; adding thesynchronized audio stream to the video stream to form a composite streamby interleaving first packets of the multimedia content with secondpackets of the synchronized audio stream, wherein the composite streamincludes a first content packet including first data corresponding tothe video stream and the native audio stream; and initiating atransmission of the composite stream to a media playback device.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the composite stream comprises an internetprotocol television stream.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein thefirst content source provides syndicated television programming, livetelevision programming, video on demand programming, or combinationsthereof.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the operations furtherinclude transmitting an authorization token to the second content sourcebefore the prioritized audio stream is retrieved, wherein theauthorization token indicates that a device has subscribed to a serviceassociated with the second content source, and wherein the authorizationtoken provides access to the prioritized audio stream.
 18. Acomputer-readable hardware storage device comprising instructions, thatwhen executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: retrieving multimedia content from a first content source,wherein the multimedia content includes a video stream and a nativeaudio stream; retrieving a prioritized audio stream from a secondcontent source that is different than the first content source;synchronizing the multimedia content and the prioritized audio stream byintroducing a delay in the prioritized audio stream to generate asynchronized audio stream; adding the synchronized audio stream to thevideo stream to form a composite stream by interleaving first packets ofthe multimedia content with second packets of the synchronized audiostream, wherein the composite stream includes a first content packetincluding first data corresponding to the video stream and the nativeaudio stream; and transmitting the composite stream to a destinationdevice via a network.
 19. The computer-readable hardware storage deviceof claim 18, wherein the multimedia content includes a televisionprogram, and wherein the prioritized audio stream includes an internetradio audio stream.
 20. The computer-readable hardware storage device ofclaim 18, wherein the prioritized audio stream is associated with afirst location, wherein the destination device is associated with asecond location, and wherein the first location is distinct from thesecond location.